A new local arts collective hopes to bring a little bit of Asbury to Belmar. The Working Artist is a new creative space that hosts resident artists from Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Founded by artists Julian Estremera and Megan Jacobson, the downtown gallery and workspace takes the idea of a cooperative business by incorporating finished displays and works in progress, while also providing a communal hang-out space.

Located at 1102 Main St., The Working Artist’s purpose is to blend casual and professional atmospheres into something new and original, a hybrid of studio and gallery. Within the 1,500-square-foot space, Estremera and Jacobson are creating innovative, interactive ideas to engage people with art, such as live music and weekend receptions.

Holbrook Little League represents as the Mid-Atlantic champs during the 13th Annual Grand Slam Parade welcoming all 16 Little League World Series teams traveling through Historic Millionaires' Row and downtown Williamsport celebrating the start of the 71st Little League World Series. August 16, 2016, Williamsport, NJ Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

The Little League team from Emilia, Italy watches Holbrook Little League's Charlie Meglio as the two teams played a game of Cornhole during the picnic preceding the 13th Annual Grand Slam Parade, welcoming all 16 Little League World Series teams traveling through Historic Millionaires' Row and downtown Williamsport celebrating the start of the 71st Little League World Series. August 16, 2016, Williamsport, NJ Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

Holbrook Little League, one of 16 participating teams in the 2017 Little League Baseball World Series leads the Opening Ceremonies Parade of Champions at Volunteer Stadium. Holbrook will play New England champion Fairfield (CT) Little League later today. August 17, 2016, South Williamsport, NJ
Bob Karp/Staff Photographer

Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Officers are shown outside 212 Nautilus Boulevard in Lacey Township Wednesday night, August 16, 2017, where a man aledgedly killed his estranged wife and child - then took his own life. Thomas P. Costello

Officers are shown outside 212 Nautilus Boulevard in Lacey Township Wednesday night, August 16, 2017, where a man aledgedly killed his estranged wife and child - then took his own life. Thomas P. Costello

People run past Berkeley Township police officers as they round a hallway corner at Central Regional High School Wednesday, August 16, 2017, during an active shooter drill held there. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has been rolling out a system that will track officers during these incidents and also allow them to have a map of the scene on their phones. Thomas P. Costello

An Ocean County SWAT team members stands outside a classroom at Central Regional High School Wednesday, August 16, 2017, during an active shooter drill held there. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has been rolling out a system that will track officers during these incidents and also allow them to have a map of the scene on their phones. Thomas P. Costello

Media members walk down a hallway at Central Regional High School Wednesday, August 16, 2017, where an active shooter drill was being held. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has been rolling out a system that will track officers during these incidents and also allow them to have a map of the scene on their phones. Thomas P. Costello

Ocean County SWAT team members proceed down a hallway at Central Regional High School Wednesday, August 16, 2017, during an active shooter drill held there. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has been rolling out a system that will track officers during these incidents and also allow them to have a map of the scene on their phones. Thomas P. Costello

Dennis Cochran of Brooklyn, NY greets a horse named Tristan during a group equine therapy session with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017. Tanya Breen

Anthony Hernandez of New York City, NY plays with a horse named Samson during a group equine therapy session with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017. Tanya Breen

(left) Steve Williams of New York City, NY and (right) Anthony Hernandez of New York City, NY play with a horse named Samson during a group equine therapy session with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017. Tanya Breen

Eric Serrano of Jersey City leads a horse named Finn around an open field during a group equine therapy session with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017. Tanya Breen

Steve Williams of New York City, NY spends time with a horse named Tristan during a group equine therapy session with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017. Tanya Breen

Kris Quinn of Kerhonkson, NY receives a kiss from a horse named Davis during a group equine therapy session with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017. Tanya Breen

Rene Stone, owner, leads her horse, Tristan, to an open field during an equine therapy session with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017. Tanya Breen

(right) Davis looks curious in his stall as (bottom, left) Rene Stone, owner, talks with military veterans from Samaritan Daytop Village, a residential treatment program in New York City, during an equine therapy session at Serenity Stables, From Combat to Calm in Atlantic Highlands, NJ Wednesday August 15, 2017. Tanya Breen

(L-R) Olakunle Fatukasi and Tyshon Fogg, linebackers, speak to reporters at High Point Solutions Stadium during Rutgers Football Media Day at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ Sunday August 13, 2017. Tanya Breen

Micah Clark, offensive tackle who attended St. John Vianney High School, speaks to reporters at High Point Solutions Stadium during Rutgers Football Media Day at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ Sunday August 13, 2017. Tanya Breen

Micah Clark, offensive tackle who attended St. John Vianney High School, looks around the field at High Point Solutions Stadium during Rutgers Football Media Day at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ Sunday August 13, 2017. Tanya Breen

Chris Ash, Rutgers head football coach, holds a press conference in the team meeting room inside the Hale Center during the 2017 Rutgers Football Media Day at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ Sunday August 13, 2017. Tanya Breen

Peter Martorana is shown in Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski’s courtroom in Toms River Friday, August 11, 2017, during his schedlued sentencing hearing. He had pled guilty to money laundering in what authorities allege was the theft of some $1 million from more than a dozen elderly victims but then decided he wanted to withdraw that plea. Thomas P. Costello

Peter Martorana is taken into custody in Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski’s courtroom in Toms River Friday, August 11, 2017, after deciding that instead of being sentenced for money laundering, he wanted to withdraw his earlier plea. He had pled guilty to money laundering in what authorities allege was the theft of some $1 million from more than a dozen elderly victims. Thomas P. Costello

State Police conduct their investigation at the scene of a fatal accident where a car struck the side of Calloways restaurant on Route 9 in Eagleswood Wednesday afternoon, August 9, 2017. Multiple other injuries were reported. Thomas P Costello

A vehicle that struck the side of Calloways restaurant on Route 9 in Eagleswood is towed from the scene Wednesday afternoon, August 9, 2017. A least one person was killed, and multiple other people were injured. Thomas P Costello

“We were working out of our apartments and homes, and it got a little hectic because we both now work on larger canvases,” Estremera said. “The first idea was to get ourselves out of that realm and open up something smaller for ourselves, but it turned into more of a collective of local artists, and we think that’s awesome.

"We all have different styles, so no one’s competing with each other. You can grab a drink. You can listen to some music, watch us paint, watch some Bob Ross, whatever you want. It’s good to bounce ideas off each other, so why not work together?”

The grand opening of The Working Artist took place a few weeks ago.(Photo: COURTESY OF Frank Estremera)

Megan Jacobson's display wall. She goes by the name MJ Resin.(Photo: COURTEST OF FRANK ESTREMERA)

The Working Artist also differs from other galleries in terms of profits. While the typical
white-wall gallery will charge artists a monthly fee and take a percentage of sales, Estremera believes the art will sell itself. Contributors are therefore given free reign over their allotted space, to design and decorate as they wish.

Instead of spending hundreds for one night at a trade show, artists can spend a small fee for a month at The Working Artist, exchange pieces whenever, and keep 100 percent of the profits. They can then put up more pieces once they sell out, allowing for perpetual turnover.

Julian Estremera's display wall. He goes by the name J. Mitchell.(Photo: COURTESY OF Frank Estremera)

The grand opening in mid-August brought in hundreds of attendants, with more than 30
paintings sold in one day. Estremera and Jacobson aim to empower artists by providing
workshops and raising money.

Follow The Working Artist on Instagram at @theworkingartistnj or visit www.theworkingartistnj.com for more information.